“So, you saw that?”
“Yup,” Dilen scowled. “I didn’t hear what you guys were talking about, but it looked pretty intense. And the way you guys were flirting…”
“That wasn’t flirting,” Fox lied.
“The fuck it wasn’t. Good thing Vale was holding Genesis, because I thought Zev was going to reach across the table and knock the man’s lights out.”
“He needs to let go and remember I’m an adult.”
“Seriously, Zev will never see you as an adult. I know you might not remember, but when you brought up the idea of moving out, he was totally against it.”
Fox slumped against the window frame, thinking of his relationship with Zev Hannigan since he’d been home. He could tell from his time in the hospital, the older Hannigan was overprotective of Crevan Hannigan. Just like Dilen, he’d seen the look Zev had given Vale.
Fox chuckled.If looks could kill, Vale would have died at the table.
He made up his mind he would protect Vale from Zev, since he planned on making the man his soon. In his past life, Fox had been scared to enter into a relationship with the now captain—the whole not mixing business with pleasure came to mind. But he wasn’t afraid anymore. He’d made up his mind after finding out Vale didn’t have a lover. The only thing holding Fox back was trying to figure out his future.
“What do you know about, Vale?”
“Not much.” Dilen ran his fingers through his hair, and Fox could tell he didn’t want to talk about Vale at all.
“Then tell me what you do know about the man.”
“Why are you interested in Vale?” Dilen crossed his arms over his chest.
Fox huffed, rolling his eyes. “Why wouldn’t I be interested in the man who saved my life?”
Dilen sighed. “I’m afraid to find out just how interested you are in Vale.”
“What the hell do you mean by that?”
“Fox, you tend to get yourself into trouble when you find things interesting. You make me worry and give Zev a heart attack every time something new catches your eye.”
“You make me sound like a flake.”
“You’re not a flake, just a trouble magnet. Like the time I was investigating a murder case that led me to Valleywood, you got yourself kidnapped and somehow talked them into letting you go instead of killing you just as my guys and I got to your location.”
“One incident doesn’t make me a trouble magnet.”
Dilen scoffed. “One? Are you kidding me? Dude, I have a book with a ton of shit you’ve done over the years not even your parents or Zev know about.”
“What kind of case was it?” Fox asked, being unfazed by Dilen’s rant.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of case it was,” Dilen snapped.
“If I’m putting my life in danger, it has to be something important,” Fox mumbled.
“Gods, you’re…” Dilen started then stopped, sighing. He rubbed his forehead in agitation, and Fox bit his lips, holding back his chuckle. “Look, you have to promise me you’ll stop putting yourself in danger. You have to think about your heart and now your daughter. You’re not a cop. Fox, please stick to what you’re good at...tutoring kids.”
Fox listened to Dilen drone on as an unpleasant feeling welled up inside of him. He wasn’t sure if it was residual emotions from the other Crevan Hannigan or his own, but each time he thought about teaching kids, he felt annoyed, and it didn’t spark his interest in the least.
Did Crevan not like his job?
Fox looked around his suite, realizing other than a few articles of clothes and baby items, there weren’t any personal effects letting him know more about the other Crevan Hannigan. The baby’s journal detailed his pregnancy experience. Thinking back, Fox also worked out Nafri didn’t show him much about Crevan Hannigan’s life, only enough to get him comfortable in his new body.
I need to know more about Crevan Hannigan. Maybe if I get to know the man, I can let go of my guilt. I need to get into his room.
“What are you thinking about so intently?” Dilen asked.
